Among the numerous ways creators can tell absorbing stories through television, anthology shows stand out as being among the best ones. When each season or episode offers a self-contained narrative with fresh storylines and new well-written characters, audiences can expect novel viewing experiences with each standalone masterpiece, not to mention the convenient choice to watch these series in any order.
From genre-defining classics likeThe Twilight Zoneto modern mind-benders likeNetflix‘sBlack Mirror, the best anthology TV series deliver versatile, unique, and captivating stories across a variety of genres. These popular and influential entries in the genre serve as excellent starting points for anyone interested in binge-watching the greatest anthology shows worth watching today.
True Detective (2014 – )
True Detectiveis an award-winningHBO crime drama seriescentered on police detectives’ methods of catching criminals. Their personal struggles inevitably affect their work, leading to some compelling drama. Its first and most acclaimed season stars Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson as two detectives chasing a serial killer who may be linked to the occult.
WhileTrue Detectivehasn’t reached the same heights as its first season, it can’t be denied that it’s among the best anthology shows out there. The HBO show is often credited with showing how A-list celebrities can dominate the small screen, too, thanks to McConaughey and Harrelson’s incredible performances. With Jodie Foster and Kali Reis set to star in a fourth season titledTrue Detective: Night Country,premiering on July 19, 2025 (making it one of thefive TV shows you should watch in January), it’s the ideal time to delve into the bleak and gritty show.
American Horror Story (2011 – )
From creepy clowns and asylums to witch covens and apocalyptic scenarios,American Horror Story(AHS) has something for every horror fan.AHShas become synonymous with horror anthology, with the show bursting onto the scene with its twisty take on a haunted house story. Since then, it has taken viewers across America, with each location featuring a new spine-chilling story, some loosely based on true events.
With 12 seasons so far, it’s clear that there’s enduring interest in the FX series, and it’s easy to see why.American Horror Storyportrays unflinching explorations of familiar horror tropes and presents a wildly entertaining blend of psychological and supernatural terror. While reception to its several seasons has been mixed, most can agree that performances from recurring actors like Jessica Lange, Evan Peters (Dahmer), Emma Roberts, and more have been a cornerstone of the series, keeping fans coming back for more.
Love, Death & Robots (2019 – )
One of thebest animated series for adults ever,Love, Death & Robotsis a Netflix original anthology show that showcases a variety of short stories from a spectrum of genres. From an apocalyptic tale involving cats and robots to a terrifying sea voyage with creepy crustaceans, most of the narratives are completely different and are often told in less than 20 minutes. This kind of brevity and variety ensures that audiences will never be bored.
Something allLove, Death & Robots‘s episodes have in common, aside from the fact that they’re mostly based on short stories, is that they display cutting-edge animation techniques that translate to gorgeous visuals. Animation studios from around the world get a chance to show off their skills in episodes produced by talented names like Tim Miller andDavid Fincher.
The Twilight Zone (1959 – 1964)
A legendary sci-fi horror series created and presented by Rod Serling,The Twilight Zonewould go on to influence future anthology shows and even inspire a phrase still used in real life. Each episode tells a distinct story, showing characters in disturbing situations or entering “the Twilight Zone.” Serling’s memorable narration creatively introduces these stories and ends them with a thoughtful conclusion, often containing a lesson.
The Twilight Zonebecame a breeding ground for emerging talent, featuring the work of writers such as Richard Matheson and Charles Beaumont and showcasing performances from actors who would later become legends. Its Kafkaesque events are still widely referenced and used as inspiration in modern filmmaking, with many of its greatest episodes still considered timeless classics worth rediscovering even today.
Black Mirror (2011 – )
One series inspired byThe Twilight Zone,Black Mirrorhas become a modern classic in its own right. It pushes the limits of speculative fiction on the small screen, withmost of the bestBlack Mirrorepisodestaking place in familiar dystopian futures where technology has wreaked havoc on humanity. The show is known for taking inventions and imagining what horrible consequences they could have on society in the future, and it rarely paints a pretty picture.
Black Mirrortaps into paranoia that already exists among audiences, whose discomfort, questions, and fears about smart tech, artificial intelligence, and pop culture are affirmed to extreme and even horrifying levels in the series. The Emmy-Award-winning Netflix show may have become more divisive in recent years, but there’s no denying its effectiveness as a collection of spine-chilling cautionary tales.
